Ronaldo sculptor heartbroken after statue replaced

The man who made the controversial bust of Cristiano Ronaldo on show at Madeira Airport in Portugal has been left devastated after learning it has been replaced with a new sculpture of the football superstar.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become a father of three Source: Getty Images

Emanuel Santos came to global notoriety when his bizarre looking bust of Ronaldo was widely mocked online for its questionable resemblance to the player, after it was placed on display at the airport last year.

The original statue was replaced by the Airport on June 16 with the Madeira Island News reporting Ronaldo’s family requested a new statue through the CR7 museum.

Santos told Bleacher Report he couldn’t believe his work had been removed.

“I’m feeling very sad,” he said.

I’m very disappointed. I have no words. I’m very surprised.”

The decision to replace the bust has also angered many others with a Facebook group being created calling for it’s return.

Ronaldo’s brother Hugo Alvereo defended the change.

“That wasn’t his face,” Alveiro said.

"He (Santos) did the job, he was paid for it, and as a Spanish sculptor offered this new bust that was well done, we decided to swap them. If he was caught by surprise, that's his problem."